Randy Cunneyworth hired as professional scout for Buffalo Sabres

BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Buffalo Sabres have hired Randy Cunneyworth as a professional scout for the team.

Cunneyworth served as interim head coach of the Montreal Canadiens in 2011-12, after Jacques Martin was fired midway through the season.

Cunneyworth began the 2011-12 season as an assistant to Martin, and led the Canadiens to an 18-23-9 record in 50 games after taking over head coaching duties.

The Toronto native began his coaching career as a player-coach under Rochester Americans head coach Brian McCutcheon in 1999. He was hired as head coach the following year, spending eight seasons with the Americans before becoming an assistant head coach for the Atlanta Thrashers from 2008 to 2010.

Cunneyworth's professional playing career spanned 16 seasons beginning with the Sabres in 1980-81 after the team selected him in the eighth round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft. He also spent time with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Winnipeg Jets, Hartford Whalers, Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators before returning to Buffalo for his final season in 1998-99.